Trump's White House tours: President 'sneers at Clinton affairs and mocks Obama for watching TV'

President has 'lengthy, sometimes crass conversations' about Clinton affairs during tours of the People's House

Chris Riotta
New York
Monday 28 January 2019 16:09 GMT
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Donald Trump reportedly lambasts his predecessors during tours of the White House, showing off the alleged spot where Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky began their affairs and claiming Barack Obama “watched basketball all day” in the Oval Office dining room.

The president has ushered numerous groups of lawmakers, friends and other guests through a door in the Oval Office, where he recalls the affairs between Mr Clinton and his intern while “laughing and making facial expressions,” the Washington Post reported on Monday, speaking to at least three people who have toured the White House with Mr Trump and several of his aides.

“I’m told this is where Bill and Monica…” he says before reportedly indulging in “lengthy, sometimes crass conversations” with guests.

“We’ve remodeled it since then,” he adds.

Mr Trump describes other parts of the White House as having been in “rough shape” in 2017, according to the report, telling guests there was a hole in the Oval Office when he first arrived.

The Post reports Mr Trump has claimed without evidence that Mr Obama “just sat” in the dining room attached to the Oval Office “and watched basketball all day.”

Four people who toured with Mr Trump told the paper the president has said he was not satisfied with the size of Mr Obama’s television in the dining room, and replaced it with a “sprawling, flat-screen” one instead.

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said “The President is proud of the White House and its rich history.”

Of the Lincoln Bedroom, Mr Trump reportedly often tells his guests he is not sure how the former president managed to sleep in a bed he calls short.

“I don’t know how he slept there,” the president said, according to one person on a tour with Mr Trump in early 2018. “He was a really tall guy!”

According to the report, the president has also repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with many rooms and offices throughout the White House, taking a hands-on approach to renovations and updates throughout the West Wing.

The report echoes claims made by former White House aide Cliff Sims in the upcoming book Team of Vipers, which is set for release on Tuesday.

Mr Sims alleges the president frequently discusses the Clinton affairs with his guests, though not all of the stops on his tour feature crass discussions.

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The president reportedly marvels at the White House chandeliers, the former staffer writes in his book, and has also reveled over a television system featured in the White House which allows him to switch through channels and recorded shows.

Mr Trump refers to the device as a “Super TiVo,” according to Mr Sims.

“I think it’s one of the greatest inventions,” the president reportedly said while smirking.

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